Pigai Objects After Two Soldiers Avoid Dismissal for Acid Attack on Andrie Yunus, Citing Four Reasons

Human Rights Minister Natalius Pigai wants lawyers to keep challenging a military court ruling that canceled the dismissal of two soldiers convicted in the acid attack on KontraS activist Andrie Yunus. He urged them to file an appeal and, if necessary, pursue a judicial review.

Pigai made the request in a social media post after the latest decision in the case. “I ask the lawyers to file an appeal, even if possible all the way to a judicial review,” he said in a post viewed by Republika on September 5, 2026.

“

I ask the lawyers to file an appeal, even if possible all the way to a judicial review.

The case involved four defendants: First Sergeant Edi Sudarko, First Lieutenant Budhi Hariyanto Widhi Cahyono, Captain Nandala Dwi Prasetya and First Lieutenant Sami Lakka. A military court sentenced Edi to three years and six months in prison, Budhi to two years and six months, Nandala to two years, and Sami to one year and six months. The court also imposed dismissal from military service as an additional punishment on Edi and Budhi.

Pigai said the Ministry of Human Rights continued to respect the judges’ decision. But he argued that the court should also consider the victim’s position when assessing justice. “We respect the honorable judges’ decision, but social sensitivity and justice are necessary. A sense of justice must be measured according to the victim, not according to other people, especially not the perpetrator,” he said.

“

We respect the honorable judges’ decision, but social sensitivity and justice are necessary. A sense of justice must be measured according to the victim, not according to other people, especially not the perpetrator.